"We think it’s OK that sometimes we don't always get it right for everyone," commented Poundland (Photo: SWNS)

Alex Nelson

Published:10:46 amJanuary 11, 2019

Poundland is being accused of sexism after ‘booby’ and ‘booty’ shaped sweets were spotted in its stores.

The marshmallows cost 50p, and encourage buyers to “be gentle” and “squidge” their “cheeks”.

The packaging features the image of a woman clad in a revealing bikini, and describes the breast-shaped chews as “a cracking pair”.

‘Corporations create and profit from sexual objectification’

The products gained criticism online after they were spotted by Gemma Aitchison in Bolton, who posted a series of photos to Twitter and expressed her dismay at the find, wondering why there was “no sign of any male things to sexually assault.”

“Why do we have candy like this, usually made for children?” she wrote.

“What exactly are you trying to say with these products, Poundland, to the families who come in store?”

What exactly are you trying to say with these products @Poundland to the families who come in store?No sign of any male things to sexually assault. No testicles to grab at? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/8m09ke99TK

“I know they are marshmallows and I understand that marshmallows aren’t the end of the world,” Aitchison continued, “but I also know that sexual objectification is linked to violence and, for companies, profit.”

“Corporations create and profit from sexual objectification but don’t want any responsibility for it. We need to call them out on this.”

Anger online

Fellow social media users chimed in with their disgust.

One tweeted, “Seriously? Who signed off on this new product launch and have they been sent their P45 this week?”

“I’m absolutely flabbergasted that anyone though these names and illustrations were in any way acceptable. Like something out of an Ann Summers catalogue,” wrote another.

The marshmallows cost 50p, and encourage buyers to “be gentle” and “squidge” their “cheeks” (Photo: SWNS)

‘We won’t force you to buy it’

Poundland have responded by saying they’re not forcing customers to purchase the offending confectionery, adding, “We think it’s OK that sometimes we don’t always get it right for everyone.”

“Frankly it’s impossible to do that,” a spokesperson from the company told the Mirror Online.

“Just because someone doesn’t like something we do, we believe that doesn’t give them the automatic right to stop us doing it,” they said, claiming that there may be “thousands of other people who like it.

“It’s fine for you to look the other way and ignore it. If something’s offended you, we won’t force you to buy it.”